You can find your suspension history through your state's Department of Motor Vehicles, either online or by requesting a copy of your driving record
Your state DMV keeps a complete record of every suspension your license has received. The fastest way to see this history is through your state's online portal — most states let you pull your own driving record without visiting an office. If your state does not offer online access, you can request a certified copy by mail or in person, though this takes longer.
The record will show the date each suspension began, the reason it was imposed, and when it ended or was lifted. This matters because some suspensions are temporary (usually 30 days to a year) while others are indefinite until you meet specific conditions, like paying fines or completing a course.
Key Takeaways
- Your state DMV maintains a complete suspension history that you can view online through most state portals, or request by mail if online access is not available.
- Each suspension record shows the start date, reason (such as unpaid tickets, DUI, or medical reasons), and whether it has been lifted or remains active.
- Multiple suspensions can stack — if you receive a new suspension while one is still active, both remain on your record and you cannot drive legally until all are cleared.
- Some suspensions require you to take action to lift them, such as paying court fines, completing a defensive driving course, or submitting medical clearance.
How to access your driving record online
Most states offer an online portal where you can view your own driving record for free or a small fee (usually $5 to $10). You will need your driver's license number, date of birth, and sometimes your Social Security number or the last four digits of your SSN. The record appears when ready after you log in.
Go to your state's official DMV website and look for a link labeled "Check Your Driving Record," "View My Record," or "Driver Record Inquiry." Some states bundle this with other services under a general "Online Services" section. If you cannot find it on the main page, use the search function on the DMV site and search for "driving record" or "suspension history."
The online record will show all suspensions, the dates they were imposed, the codes or reasons (such as "unpaid fine," "DUI," or "medical suspension"), and whether each one is still active or has been resolved. Write down or print this information — you may need it if you are working to restore your license or if you are disputing a suspension.
Requesting a paper copy by mail or in person
If your state does not offer online access, or if you need an official certified copy for court or insurance purposes, you can request one by mail or visit a DMV office in person. The process varies by state, but generally you will fill out a form (often called a "Driving Record Request" or "Abstract Request"), include a copy of your ID, and mail it with a check or money order.
Processing times range from one to three weeks by mail. In-person requests at a DMV office usually take 15 to 30 minutes, though you may need to wait for an appointment depending on how busy your local office is. Some states charge a higher fee for certified copies than for standard records.
Call your state DMV or check their website for the exact form, mailing address, and current fee before you send anything. Some states now accept online requests that they mail to you, which is faster than traditional mail-in requests but slower than viewing the record yourself online.
Understanding suspension codes and reasons
Each suspension on your record will have a code or description explaining why it was imposed. Common reasons include unpaid traffic fines, DUI or DWI convictions, accumulating too many points from traffic violations, failure to pay child support, medical suspension (due to a condition that affects safe driving), and failure to maintain insurance.
The reason matters because it determines what you have to do to lift the suspension. An unpaid fine suspension requires you to pay the court. A medical suspension requires a doctor's clearance. A point-based suspension may require you to wait out a period or complete a defensive driving course. Your driving record will not always spell out what action is needed — you may have to contact the court or DMV to find out.
If you see a suspension you do not recognize or believe is an error, contact your state DMV directly. Mistakes do happen — a fine may have been paid but not recorded, or a suspension may have been lifted but not removed from the system. The DMV can investigate and correct the record if you provide proof.
What happens when you have multiple suspensions
If you have received more than one suspension, they do not cancel each other out — they stack. If your license was suspended for unpaid fines in 2019 and again for a DUI in 2022, both suspensions remain on your record. You cannot legally drive until all suspensions are resolved, even if one of them is older.
This is why it is important to address suspensions as soon as they occur. Ignoring an older suspension does not make it go away, and it can prevent you from restoring your license even after you have resolved a newer one. If you have multiple suspensions, you will need to take action on each one separately — paying fines for one, completing a course for another, or obtaining medical clearance for a third.
Some states offer a "reinstatement" process that handles multiple suspensions at once, but you still have to meet the requirements for each one. Check with your DMV about whether you can bundle the process or whether you have to address each suspension individually.
Checking your record regularly to catch errors
It is a good idea to check your driving record at least once a year, even if you have not had any recent traffic stops or violations. Errors can occur — a ticket may be recorded under the wrong name or date, a fine payment may not have been processed correctly, or a suspension may not have been lifted after you met the requirements.
If you find an error, contact the court that issued the ticket or fine, not the DMV. The court handles the underlying violation, and the DMV updates its records based on what the court reports. Provide the court with documentation of your payment or proof that you completed the required action, and ask them to send a corrected report to the DMV.
Checking your record is also useful if you are planning to restore your license. You will know exactly what suspensions are active, what caused them, and what you need to do to clear each one before you can drive legally again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see my suspension history if I do not have my driver's license number?
Most online portals require your license number, but you can usually use your full name and date of birth instead. If that does not work, call your state DMV and provide your name, date of birth, and address. They can look up your record over the phone or mail you a copy.
Will my suspension history show up on a background check?
Suspension history is part of your driving record, which is public information. Employers, insurance companies, and landlords can see it if they run a background check that includes your driving record. However, they will not see it unless they specifically request your driving record — a standard criminal background check does not include it.
How long does a suspension stay on my record after it is lifted?
Once a suspension is lifted, it remains on your driving record permanently, but it no longer prevents you from driving. Insurance companies and employers may still see it when they pull your record. The suspension itself is resolved, but the history of it is not erased.
What if I was suspended in another state — will it show on my current state's record?
Yes. States share suspension and revocation information through the National Driver Register. If you were suspended in another state, your current state's DMV will have that information on file. You will need to resolve the out-of-state suspension before you can restore your license in your current state.
Can I drive if one of my multiple suspensions has been lifted?
No. You cannot drive legally until all suspensions are lifted. Even if you have resolved one suspension, any remaining active suspension means your license is still suspended. You must address every suspension on your record before you can legally operate a vehicle.